Careers Expo offers options to Oakland youth

A BART representative talks about the opportunities and careers available at the company during the Oakland Youth Careers Expo on April 13. Photo by Marian Davidson.

It’s never too early for students to start thinking about their futures. On Thursday, high schoolers were introduced to potential employers, careers and education options available in their home city at the Oakland Youth Careers Expo.

“This offers students the opportunity to engage up close and personal with industry professionals,” said Gilbert Pete Jr., the Oakland Unified School District’s workforce and economic development coordinator.

More than 80 representatives from local businesses and educational institutions manned exhibitor booths and talked with students at the event held at the Oakland Marriot City Center. But the expo was more than just a job fair—it was an “all-around resource fair,” Pete said. Students had the opportunity to interview for internships, have their resumes reviewed by employers, and learn about specific fields during breakout sessions.

“It brings education to life, which is what we’re trying to do,” Pete said.

For Skyline High School junior Andie Yepez, the career expo was an opportunity to try getting a foothold in her field of choice—health care. She spent the morning interviewing for a summer internship.

“I was a little nervous,” Yepez said, but she said she was prepared and felt the interview went well.